GLENDALE — More than 380 participants gathered in Glendale September 4 to 7 for the 2026 Southern California Open Chess Tournament, bringing together players from across the United States and around the world for four days of competition. The tournament, now in its second year in Glendale, featured 12 grandmasters and a $60,000 guaranteed prize fund, building on the strong turnout of its Glendale debut in 2025.
Grandmaster Aditya Sachin Samant of India and International Master Sebastian Lukas Kostolansky shared top honors in the Open section, each earning $4,500. Across seven competitive sections, players competed for prizes ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 for first-place finishes.
“What stood out to me was the incredible range of people brought together through chess,” said Mayor Ardy Kassakhian. “We welcomed grandmasters from around the world, young players just beginning their journey in chess, and college competitors. It was especially great to see women make up half of the University of Texas at Dallas team that took the top college team honor. That range is what makes this tournament so special and shows how chess can bring people together across ages, backgrounds, and cultures.”
The tournament’s youngest participant was six-year-old Raphael Aghajanyan, who earned two points during the competition. The University of Texas at Dallas was recognized as the top college team, earning a $1,000 prize and cup, with women making up three of the team’s six players.
The tournament’s youngest participant was six-year-old Raphael Aghajanyan, who earned two points during the competition. The University of Texas at Dallas was recognized as the top college team, earning a $1,000 prize and cup, with women making up three of the team’s six players.
In addition to the Open section champions, winners across the tournament’s competitive sections included:
- U2300: Woman International Master Davaakhuu Munkhzul of Mongolia, first place, $5,000; Glenn Zhang of the United States, second place, $2,500
- U2100: Jean Piere Dish Ramos of Peru, first place, $4,000
- U1900: Jessica Utley of the United States, first place, $3,000
- U1700: Alexander Beglaryan of the United States, first place, $3,000
- U1500: Joseph Vaysman of the United States, first place, $3,000
- U1300: Rafael Nersesyan of the United States, first place, $2,000
An additional 72 players participated in the Southern California Blitz Tournament on September 7, adding another competition to the four-day event.
Organized by the American Chess Academy and dot818, the Southern California Open Chess Tournament was held at the Hilton Los Angeles North/Glendale. The tournament has a history spanning more than three decades and returned to Glendale for its second year following its 2025 debut.
The Southern California Open Chess Tournament has been a premier event for competitive chess players for over three decades, drawing top talent from across the country, and is known for its rigorous competition, high-caliber participants, and strong tradition of fostering chess excellence.
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